Lawmakers Protect Food Benefits for Families in Need During Second Special Session

State prepared to provide food benefits to New Mexicans, as the Trump administration attempts to block federal SNAP funding

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, New Mexico state lawmakers returned to the Roundhouse for another special session to protect critical services for New Mexico families, as the federal government continues to fight their obligation to provide funding for critical food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

In an efficient three-hour session, the legislature allocated $162 million from the New Mexico Health Care Authority to allow the state to provide emergency food benefits to New Mexicans in need, if the federal government continues to withhold funding for SNAP.

"Right now, nearly half a million seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working parents across our state are worrying about where their next meal will come from—all because the Trump Administration is fighting tooth and nail to avoid their obligation to fund SNAP," said New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque). "Once again, our state is coming together to deliver the critical services New Mexicans cannot live without."   

House Bill 1 includes robust reversion provisions so that when the federal government fulfills its legal obligation to fully fund the SNAP program, the temporary state funding will automatically end. 

"Amid all the continued chaos from this White House and dysfunction from Congressional Republicans, New Mexico has a steady hand on the wheel," said New Mexico House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe). "Restaurants, grocery stores, food banks, neighbors, and state leaders have banded together to help New Mexicans keep food on the table. That's what makes our community so strong, we confront moments like this together to make sure families are safe, healthy, and fed." 

The state's actions follow an unprecedented move by President Trump's administration to stop funding SNAP during the ongoing federal government shutdown. Previous administrations have always maintained SNAP during shutdowns, including President Trump in his first term, during the 2018-2019 shutdown. 

"The SNAP program is not only the nation's largest and most effective anti-hunger program, it allows struggling Americans to shop for their own groceries and feed their families with the dignity they deserve," said Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque). "As families who rely on this program face tremendous fear and uncertainty, our state is going to step up once again to make sure New Mexicans have what they need."

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and legislative leaders worked together to use state funds to provide funding for food assistance to New Mexicans in need through the first 10 days of November. HB 1 also allocates $30 million to refill the Appropriation Contingency Fund used by the Governor to fund these emergency benefits. 

Federal judges also recently ordered the Trump administration to release SNAP funding so that the 42 million Americans who rely on this program do not go hungry. As a result, New Mexicans received their full November food benefits late last week. 

However, the administration is attempting to fight the court orders compelling them to provide funding, threatening states for disbursing the funds, and offering conflicting and unclear guidance to states regarding SNAP funding. 

 If federal funding lapses again, state funded emergency food benefits in House Bill 1 will be loaded on to New Mexicans' EBT cards on a weekly basis until federal funding for SNAP is fully restored or until the state legislature returns for the regular legislative session on January 20, 2026, whichever happens first. 

"SNAP is a lifeline for over 460,000 New Mexicans, including children, working families, seniors, and people with disabilities. It reduces poverty, supports health, and stimulates our economy," said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe). "Protecting full access to food assistance benefits is both a moral necessity and smart economic policy, and I'm proud the legislature came together today to see that these benefits will not lapse regardless of what happens in Washington D.C." 

The special session today was the second special session of 2025. In early October, legislators convened for a two-day session to address some of the most immediate and dangerous impacts of recent federal budget cuts.

In the first special legislative session this year, lawmakers: 

Invested $17 million to reduce the cost of marketplace health insurance in the state, while Congressional Republicans allow premiums to skyrocket across the country

Dedicated nearly $30 million to food assistance, including $8 million for food pantries, to help feed families at risk of losing benefits because of the federal budget cuts in H.R. 1 (these federal budget cuts are separate from the Trump administration's current efforts to block SNAP funding during the shutdown)

Provided $50 million to support rural healthcare providers on the brink due to Medicaid cuts in H.R. 1

Protected vaccine access for families and shored up funding for public broadcasting